Building Codes for a Finished Concrete Basement - Concrete Grid (2023)

SAMPLE CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR PREFAB CONCRETE BASEMENTS

MONITORING:The information below is intended as a guide to what to find in relation to local building codes. It is intended as a GUIDE ONLY. Actual building codes can vary widely by region, state, and city.

The following requirements are a guideline that can apply to most simple residential basement conversion projects. However, a plan reviewer may determine that additional information about a particular project is required due to unusual circumstances. It should also be emphasized that, particularly in interior renovation projects, many code requirements are verified through the inspection process and are not necessarily reflected in the approved plan documents.

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Habitable room sizes and ceiling heights

Living rooms must have an area of ​​at least 70 square meters. and shall not be less than 7 feet in any dimension. Lounges, bathrooms, hallways, and laundry rooms must have a minimum ceiling height of 7 ft-0 in, with no less than 4 ft-0 in clearance at center.

Insulation, partitions and walls

Concrete foundation walls in finished rooms/areas must be clad and insulated with at least R-8 insulation extending to the basement floor slab if basement walls are less than 50% above ground level and at least R-13 insulation on basement walls that are higher than 50% above class.

Exception:
Basements with concrete foundation walls that are less than 20% above the top level (based on wall height times basement perimeter, excluding unheated underground garages) may be uninsulated walls.

wall construction

Specify the size and spacing of the new bulkhead studs and the finish of the wall material.

Approved waterproof drywall backing board is required in tub and shower areas.

Interior finishing materials must not have a flame spread rate greater than 200.

Pens can be serviceable or better. The spacing between pins must conform to TABLE 1, have a pressure treated bottom plate, and can have a single or double top plate.

Joists in non-structural walls may be notched to a depth not exceeding 40% of the width of an individual joist. Studs may be drilled or drilled provided the resulting hole diameter is no greater than 40 percent of the width of the stud, the edge of the hole is not less than 5/8 inch from the edge of the stud, and the hole is not located on the same section like a cut or a nick.

A single 2x4 panel can be used as a header on non-structural interior walls for openings up to 8 feet wide when the overlying wall is no more than 24 inches.

Natural light and ventilation, safety glass for concrete basement

Show all new and existing window locations and include the total glass size and ventilation area of ​​each window. For proposed spaces, include the height of the sill, the width of the clear opening, and the height of the clear opening for the required emergency window.The glazed area in lounges should not be less than 8% of the usable area.Half of this area should be available for unobstructed ventilation with built-in screens. Alternatively, artificial lighting and/or mechanical ventilation (see Ventilation section) can be used if existing windows are not adequately sized. Remaining raw spaces/areas must have windows with an unobstructed ventilation area of ​​1% of the floor area served or artificial ventilation at a rate of 0.05 CFM/s.f. have. by area. All rooms must have an emergency exit window that meets the following minimum requirements:

• Maximum Headroom - 44" Minimum Headroom 20" Minimum Headroom - 24" Minimum Headroom 5.0 s.f.

• The emergency window must be operated from the inside without the use of special skills, tools or additional force beyond that required for normal window operation.

Glass in doors intended for human passage, patio doors, windows within 24 inches of a door and walls, shower and tub panels, or doors must be fully tempered, laminated, approved wired glass, or approved shatterproof plastic.

basement stairs

Existing stairways may need to be modified with new fixed treads or toeboards, possibly with new replacement ledge treads (where fixed treads are supplied), with new high grip handrails and/or with new intermediate bars for open stair gates to meet current regulation requirements.

Guards along open stairways must be at least 34 inches high above the front edge of the tread and at least 36 inches high at stair landings. Open railings must have intermediate vertical balustrades that are less than 4 inches apart. Horizontal railings, railings parallel to stair treads, and decorative designs that create a stair effect are prohibited on stairs in finished basement areas.

Ceiling/floor draft detection, fire protection, smoke detector

Ceilings recessed under wood joists or attached directly to wood floor trusses should be lined with "3/8" drywall or plywood at 500 s.f. to be protected. distances and parallel to the frame members.

Fire protection consisting of 2" lumber, at least 23/32" structural board or approved non-combustible materials shall be provided at the ceiling line in concealed spaces of stud walls/partitions, including cased or studded spaces of concrete foundation walls and in soffit, false ceilings and similar rooms.

A UL listed, AC powered, battery backed smoke alarm must be installed near all bedroom entry doors and in each bedroom. For non-bedroom basements, provide at least one UL-listed, battery-backed, AC-powered smoke alarm at the base of the stairs.

All detectors in the house must be linked together so that when an alarm goes off, all the alarms in the house go off.

emergency exit of the room

Note: Most local authorities require submission of a plan for all completed one bedroom basements.

Each room must have at least one operable window or approved exterior door for use as an emergency exit or salvage. Units must be operable from the inside to allow full freedom of opening without the use of a wrench or tool.

When windows are intended as a means of egress or rescue, they must have a sill height no greater than 44 inches, a minimum clear opening of 5 s.f., a minimum clear opening height of 22 inches, and a minimum clear opening width of 20 inches.

Where emergency exit windows open onto a window, the minimum dimensions of that window area shall be 3 feet by 5 feet.

Belüftungssysteme Betonkeller

Shows location of existing furnace and main supply and return lines. Specify the location and size of any new subducts, register locations, and diffusers for the finished area. Include any artificial ventilation that can be suggested for a room/area, e.g. B. new or downsized boiler rooms, bathrooms or finished rooms that do not have adequate windows for natural ventilation.

Appliances and equipment such as furnaces and water heaters must remain accessible for inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement without removing permanent structures. The oven cavity must have an opening or doorway large enough to allow removal of the largest piece of equipment, but no less than 20 inches wide. There must be a clear work area of ​​at least 30 inches wide and at least 30 inches high along the control side of the unit when the furnace door is open.

Fuel-powered devices must be supplied with combustion air. Furnace rooms must have two permanent openings to adjacent rooms; one should be 12 inches from the top and one 12 inches from the bottom of the adjacent wall. Each opening must have a minimum of 1 square inch open area per 1000 Btu/hr of input power from all equipment installed in the boiler room, but not less than 100 square inches. Openings are not required if a louvered door is provided or if the furnace room area is greater than 50 cubic feet per 1000 Btu/hr input rate of all equipment installed in the room.

Use of room air:
1 sqm must be provided/1000 BTU/h. every opening. Openings must not be smaller than 100 m². An opening must be provided within 12 inches of the ceiling and within 12 inches above the finished floor with no common ductwork.

Use of outside air:

1. horizontal openings
   1 sq. in./2000 BTU/hr for canal opening
   1 sq. in./4000 BTU/hr to open directly
2. vertical openings
   1 sq. in./4000 BTU via piping or direct

Minimum fuel clearance is 18 inches unless the listed manufacturer's installation instructions allow for an alternative clearance measurement. 18” clearance is required in front of the unit for maintenance purposes.

Tumble dryers must be independent of other systems and discharge to the outside.

Residential bathrooms without windows for natural ventilation must vent at least 50 CFM to the outside. It is not allowed to discharge the exhaust in the attic or in the area of ​​the floor beams.

Exception:
Bathing facilities without a tub or shower can leak into the attic.

For finished spaces without adequate windows, outside air (artificial ventilation) should be provided at a rate of 0.35 air changes per hour or 15 cubic feet per minute per occupant, whichever is greater. The estimated occupancy load for a large room/communal space such as a lounge or council room should be based on 2 for the first bedroom and 1 for each additional bedroom within the home.

Gas lines must be tagged at intervals of no more than 25 feet when routed in concealed locations.

Electric concrete basement

Include location and size of electrical panel (if new) and location of all new outlets, lights, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, and switches on floor plans or provide as a performance specification. Label all 240 volt outlets/circuits. Indicate which lighting control sockets and/or switches are present. If suggested, indicate baseboard heater locations.

The dimension of the work area in the direction of access to the panels must not be less than 36 inches deep and 30 inches wide. The work area must be clear and extend from the floor or platform to a height of 6 ft 6 in. In any case, the work area must allow at least 90 degrees of opening of paneled doors or hinged parts. A dedicated space directly above a panel, extending from panel to ceiling, must be kept clear of unrelated equipment. This required work area should not be designated for storage.Panels should not be placed in closets or bathrooms.

RCDs are required for outlets and/or circuits installed in the following locations:

• bathroom
• Unfinished basements except for the laundry circuit and a single sump pump bin.
• Outlets to operate counter surfaces within 6 feet of a wet bar.

Sockets should be installed in the following areas:

• In all habitable spaces, except bathrooms, so that no space along a wall is more than 6 feet from an outlet.
• All wall areas 2 feet wide or larger require electrical outlets.
• In hallways 10 feet or longer.
• In toilets installed next to the sink.
• At least one container in the laundry area and at least one container in the raw basement area in addition to the laundry container.

Light is needed in the following areas:

• At least one wall socket must be installed in every living room, bathroom, hallway, stairwell and external doors.
• Lighting installed on indoor stairs must have an illuminated wall switch on each floor separated by 6 or more steps.
• At least one light socket is required in any unfinished basement or pantry used for storage or containing heating, air conditioning, or other equipment that requires maintenance.
• The light switch must be located at the boarding point.

Lighting in cabinets:

• The use of incandescent lamps with open or partially closed lamps and the use of pendant lights is prohibited.
• Built-in components may only be set up where the following minimum distances to the next storage location are observed.
• Surface mount incandescent bulbs - 12 inch minimum.
• Surface Mount Fluorescent and Recessed Luminaires - 6 inch minimum.

switchboards:

• Control panels must not be hidden and are not allowed in bathrooms or closets.
• Lighting is required in the immediate vicinity of the panel.
• A minimum clearance of 3 feet is required in front of existing switchboards.

Plumbing requirements

Display the location of all new plumbing fixtures such as sinks, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, water heaters, floor drains, and other plumbing fixtures on victims' blueprints. View the location of car chases. Show the location of the new bibs for the wash hose connection and laundry standpipe in new laundry rooms/rooms.

All cleaning, valves, closures and mechanical connections must be accessible. The minimum distance before cleaning should be 18" for 3" and larger pipes and 12" for smaller pipes. Hidden cleanings must have access large enough to allow removal of the cleaning plug and wand from the system. Cleaning plugs must not be covered with permanent finishing material. Luminaires with concealed tube closures must be provided with an inspection flap or an unobstructed usable space of 12 inches in the smallest dimension.

Have a shower:Hinged shower doors should open outwards. All glass around a shower must be safety glass. Showers must conserve water with a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. All shower control valves must be non-scalding with a hot water limit of 120F.

Bathroom sink:Must have drain holes at least 1 inch in diameter. A screen, pop-up cover, crossbar or other device must be provided to restrict free opening of the waste outlet. Faucets should conserve water with a maximum flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 psi.

Bathroom:Must have a low water saving draw of 1.6 gallons per flush and be equipped with a flush tank or similar device designed and installed to supply and flow water in sufficient quantity to flush the contents of the unit to clean and refill trap device.

Bathtubs:It must have outlets and overflows that are at least 1 inch in diameter, and the drain must be fitted with an approved plug. All bathtub control valves must be non-scalding with a hot water limit of 120F.

Bathroom sink:Must have drain holes at least 1 inch in diameter. A screen, crossbar or other device must be provided to restrict the free opening of the waste outlet. Faucets should conserve water with a maximum flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 psi.

Laundries:Each compartment of a laundry tub must be provided with a drain at least 1 inch in diameter and a screen or crossbar to restrict the free opening of the drain.

washing machines:Unloading a washing machine must be done through an air lock.

LICENSE TYPES AND PROCESS FOR FINISHED BASEMENTS

Types of building permits for concrete basementsThe four types of licenses that may be required depending on the complexity of the project are as follows:

• Abuilding permitit is necessary for the construction of architectural and structural elements.
• Likeelectric licenseIt is required for all electrical installations.
• Amechanical permissionit is required for the installation of all elements and devices associated with heating and air conditioning systems; However, installing ducts generally does not require a mechanical license.
• APlumbing LicenseIt is necessary for the installation of all elements and devices connected to plumbing and gas pipeline systems.

Call your local building authority to inquire about the fee structure for a building permit. After planning permission has been granted, separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits may be issued. Separate fees apply for each of these permits based on the equipment listed on the permit application.

The approval processMONITORING:The following information is intended as a guide to what to find during the licensing process. It is intended as a GUIDE ONLY. The process can vary greatly depending on the region, state and city.

In basement renovation projects, it is generally considered very important to identify both existing and new construction graphically or by notation within building construction plans.Show the floor plan of the basement area and identify the use of each room/area by name and identify new and existing walls/partitions and clad and insulated concrete foundations. Bedrooms with wardrobes for clothes etc. that resemble a bedroom or that could easily be converted into a bedroom in the future are usually checked for bedroom requirements regardless of the bedroom name shown on the drawing.

The review process begins when basement drawings (sometimes the building authority will permit the use of one of their own drawings of “typical finished basement details” in place of the original drawings) are completed and submitted along with an application for planning permission to the appropriate department. The license is usually registered and provided with a license number to identify the project. A plan tracking number is assigned to identify drawings. The building permit application is then returned to the applicant to obtain the permit signatures required for the permit issuance from the relevant offices. Signatures are placed on lines next to the appropriate departments listed on the building permit application.

After planning permission has been granted, separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits may be issued. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits generally do not require a plan submission or review process. These permits may be obtained from the owner or a licensed contractor hired to carry out the work. Compliance with the Code is determined at the time of inspection.

It is the applicant's responsibility to check with any other agency or jurisdiction that may be affected by the proposed basement remodeling for their requirements. Contact the appropriate authorities such as the fire department, city, sewer, subdivision administrator, etc.